New Tesco convenience store reduces energy use by half
The first Tesco convenience store developed according to the ‘environment format’ detailed by chief executive Sir Terry Leahy in his 2008 Roland Smith Lecture has natural lighting provided by Monodraught SunPipes and Suncatchers. Monodraught Windcatchers also provide natural ventilation.
This new-build Express store at Hinckley is part of the programme to halve carbon emissions from all new stores built worldwide between now and 2020 — compared with an equivalent store built in 2006.
The main construction material for this store is glued wood laminate, made using timber from sustainable sources.
The Windcatchers were specified by the design team for Express stores to introduce fresh air into the building to counter heat gains and expel stale warm air from the underside of the roof level. At night, Windcatchers can continue to cool the building.
Four 1000 mm-square Windcatchers were installed in the main sales areas. In staff toilets, 350 mm Suncatcher systems combining natural ventilation and SunPipes were installed. Finally, three 300 mm SunPipes were installed in the staff room, store room and bakery preparation area. James Dorling, head of Tesco’s environmental centre of excellence, says, ‘The Windcatchers are helping to reduce the energy consumption of this store, which means that it has a smaller carbon footprint. We hope to introduce this technology to other stores soon.’
